----. - -- Southampton Wildlife Link ) ) .J

© Southampton Wildlife Link 1 Chairman: Julian Cremona B.Sc., C. BioI., F.R.E.S., P.G.C.E. Report First published March 1994 , ] Produced by the Southampton Wildlife Link ;1 The Southampton Wildlife Link is a voluntary body which meets monthly at the Civic Centre. It consists of representatives from the chief ecological and natural history groups in the area. Those groups are: . 1

English Nature Southampton Schools Conservation Corps 1 Southampton Natural History Society Southampton Commons and Parks Protection Society j Hampshire & lOW Wildlife Trust Royal Society for the Protection of Birds British Trust for Ornithology Broadlands Valley Conservation Group British Butterfly Conservation Society Hawthorns Wildlife Association Sholing Valleys Study Centre Association Hampshire Bat Group J Correspondence to the Hon. Sec. Mrs. P. Loxton, 3 Canton Street, Southampton 1 '1 26 }!

Southampton Wildlife Link

1 The Weston Corrunon Valley Report I l

by ~ , 1 The Southampton Wildlife Link I Contents

Weston Common . 3 .. 21 I I Botany Bay . 5 Odonata . 22 Miller's Pond . 6 Diptera . 22 Mayfield Park .. 9 Coleoptera . 22 Observations & Recommendations . 10 Hemiptera . 23 Appendix 1 Species Lists .. 11 Hymenoptera . 23 Flowering .. 11 Orthoptera . 23 Fungi . 17 Arachnida . 23 Birds .. 20 Myriapoda . 23 Mammals . 21 Crustacea .. 23 Amphibians & Reptiles . 21 Miller's Pond Fauna . 24 Arthropoda . 21 Appendix 2 Maps . 25

I 2 I ) Southampton Wildlife Link

~

ESTON COMMON and water-rails (see note 1). For its size, the marsh was rich in species and it hig robable that, in today's climate of J opinion, the citizens of S uthampton would countenance its destruction. The Southam'pt Natural History Society had made a The undeveloped remnant of old Weston Common detailed study of the flora and when the threat to the area became is the valley that runs roughly south-westwards from the Bursledon unavoidable, steps were taken to remove the two rarest species to a Road to Botany Bay and then through Mayfield Park to Archery safer habitat, as compatible as possible with the original. These were Road. The underlying rocks here are sands, silts and clays of the Ludwigia palustris (Hampshire Purslane), an extremely rare of Bracklesham group, Tertiary formations. These not only determine ) acid fen, and Butomus umbellatus (Flowering Rush). (See Note 2 for the natural vegetation but have influenced the use of the land. Sand the subsequent history of these transplants). and clay have been widely exploited throughout the region and, although much evidence has been hidden under subsequent 1 The contamination of the soil by refuse necessitated the piping development, the results of sand extraction are still visible at Botany underground of the two streams to their outfall beyond the Bay and the clay soil below the old Butts Road brickworks shows a Portsmouth Road into Mayfield Park. The raising of the ground- startling change of plants from the surrounding area. The open land 1 level resulted in an expanse of "dry" land between Botany Bay Road has been used for grazing, horticulture and recreation and hence and Spring Road, an "interruption" which effectively divides the much of today's plant cover is the result partly of restitution, partly valley into three parts. Even so, the natural vegetation of the valley { of natural regeneration. shows a remarkable consistency throughout its whole length.

A second drastic change in the aspect of the old Common occurred The greatest change in land-use in recent years was the infil1ing of in the 'sixties when pasture and scrub-covered land between the old Miller's Pond and Botany Bay marsh with domestic refuse. Kathleen Road and Butts Road was developed for housing, and the The L-shaped pond was formed by the junction of the stream City acquired the remaining narrow valley as public open space with running through Weston Common with the spring from Sholing a walk-way downstream. Apart from the wet willow-scrub below Common. The latter formed a natural barrier and ran clear over a Willow-tree Walk, much of the land was stripped, the stream-bed gravel bed to the sluice at the bottom of Spring Road. On the other gouged out, and the banks cleared and reinforced where necessary to side there were reed-beds, fringed with willows, the home of swans

J

3 Southampton Wildlife Link I 1

. J support bridges, and paths laid. Some replanting beside the stream The trees which favour the drier light soils here and throughout the was done, and today the stream itself is hidden for much of its valley, are oak, hawthorn, birch, holly, and elder, with an length. Natural vegetation has recovered, and aspen and alder understorey of b!cken, gorse, bramble and nettles. Unfortunately, : J sapling are spreading on to the open common, while below the older Japanese Knotwee~OUI;).·a japonica) is rapidly colonising the trees, Comfrey, ferns, Marsh Woundwort and Wavy Bittercress have ground disturbed by pathlaxing along the woodside, and should be j.' reappeared, together with pondweed in the water. eradicated at once. The operr-g assland which is mown shows little botanical interest compared with the rough turf with its more varied Much of the grassland is kept mown, but patches of broom, gorse, flora including the Musk Mallow, Fire-weed, Marsh Bird's-foot bracken and heather recall the nature of the old Common. Here, as Trefoil, Hard Heads, Mouse-ear Chickweed, and dog roses in the elsewhere throughout the valley, the turf supports the usual mixture thickets. The chief grass species are Rye Grass, Bent Grass, Crested of clovers, daisies, buttercups, Cat's-ear and Self-heal, plants which Dogs Tail, Fescue and Cock's Foot. False Oat-grass prefers the path can withstand constant cropping. But where the sandy soil changes sides with Timothy and Foxtail and the ubiquitous Annual Meadow abruptly to clay, the ground is frequently water-logged at the bottom Grass. In ground disturbed by the paths "common weeds of of the slope, and shows a change of vegetation which can tolerate cultivation" abound:- Pineapple weed (Matricaria matricoides), :I such conditions. The most striking example of this is Sphagnum Cudweed (Gnaphaliun uliginosumi, Knotgrass (PoZgonum moss, along with rushes, reeds and Sneezewort (Achilles ptarmicay. aviculare) Swinegrass (Coronopus didymus) and Hemp Nettle Repeated mowing is causing the loss of some of these plants; when (GaZeopsis tetrahit). With Scarlet Pimpernel and Speedwell they are I the rushes and Ling (Calluna vulgaris) were left uncut, the the first to colonise bare soiL distinctive air of this little area was more attractive. } Some cherry trees (Prunus avium) have been planted here and some As the stream descends towards Botany Bay, the valley bottom wild flower seeds sown, but it is doubtful if this last has materially becomes water-logged throughout much of its length, the banks effected the flora of the Common. Privet is probably an escape. t being shallow and muddy. Willow-scrub with Hemlock Water- dropwort dominates the ground cover, and this gives way, beyond North-east Road to a dense thicket of alders and willows which cuts I out the light and prevents very little other growth: The Common here is accessible only on the eastern side, where a path runs through a strip of woodland on the higher ground to open, grassy areas.

4 I Southampton Wildlife Link 1 OTANY BAY It was not long before children were finding newts in damp stony patches in the middle of the tip, and today those patches are marked by clumps of mature willow (Salix cinerea and S. capraea) with Beside Station Road, lies another stretch of open wound young oaks, and brambl~~ere the Weston Stream disappeared at reminiscent of the old common, with rough grass, B Botany Bay Rb~Id ~h flora has reasserted itself in a wet, brambles, broom, nettles and common weeds such as Yarrow rushy dip with Common Reed, Great Willow Herb and Marsh (Achillea millefoliay, Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) and Wormwood Bird's-foot Trefoil and 5 species of rush (Jointed, Soft, Hard, and Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris). Beyond is a stretch of woodland, Conglomerate and Sharp flowered). Below the railway embankment, once intersected by the Spring from Spring Road. On the higher willows continued to flourish and today there is a continuous belt of ground, oaks, aspen, holly, hawthorn and sycamore dominate; trees linking the oaks, beeches, and sycamores along the Portsmouth below, the old marsh flora survives, alder and sallows and crack ~ Road. Ground Ivy flourishes in the established hedgerow, and at the willows. There are innumerable muddy tracks through the bottom of Spring Road there stands a very old False Acacia (Robinia woodland, where the ground flora is very poor, consisting largely of pseudacacia). J ivy and with clumps of male fern.

The land slopes sharply to the south west to the railway embankment that limited the old Miller's Pond. Although tipping raised the ground level, the course of the Spring remained below the level of the surrounding land, and here especially and along the line } of the old Weston stream, new wetland soon developed when tipping stopped. A little marsh quickly revived amongst the surviving willows and alders, where water-rails continued to breed t until the new pond was excavated. Water Forget-me-nots, Water Plantain and Bur-Reed rapidly colonised the bed of the Spring, and J Water Crowfoot spread over muddy ground until this was over- grown with Iris, Greater Willow Herb, Water Dropwort and sapling u_~ willows. 1 '-...._;;7 t

5 JU Southampton Wildlife Link I J The open tip site was left to recover naturally and where the top soil The grant from the Nature Conservancy Council (English Nature) is thin and patchy wasteland weeds abound - Ribwort Plantain, for the re-creation of the pond enabled English Nature in the future Scarlet Pimpernel, Black Medic, Wormwood, Yarrow and a rather to maintain an interest in it for a further five years. During that poor Soft Brome grass. Illegal grazing continues on the lusher grass period, the pond remained relatively undisturbed. and does not improve the condition of the land or the public's enjoyment thereof. In the middle 1980's the character of the pond was changed when 1 fish were introduced into it. Fishermen 1anglers began to occupy the ,·1 ILLER'S POND banks and to "manage" the pond for their own purposes. The oxygenating submerged weed was dragged out, the banks were trodden down and pasted with mud. As a consequence of the lack of In 19778 the Southampton Schools Conservation oxygen in the water, its quality was reduced and the aquatic Corps, realizing that the City Council's development invertebrates were affected. The marginal vegetation was greatly plans for Botany Bay and Miller's Pond were unlikely to reduced. materialize, and that the degradation of the whole area was growing, set about the creation of a new Miller's Pond. Work started in As well as using the fishing platforms after 1990, fishermen also November 1978, and by February 1979 a new pond of 120 m2 was occupied all the banks which had been earmarked for nature excavated and was rapidly filled by water from springs. The Corps conservation. The far eastern side of the pond remained relatively tidied the banks, dealt with fallen trees, sowed grass seed and unchanged. One of the islands has thrived successfully. The planted willows. emphasis on fishing since 1988 has remained and the aim of } managing the pond's ecosystem for wild life has diminished. With the construction completed and the pond filled, regular Fishermen have continued to manage the pond by removing weed sampling was undertaken and within a year the water was found to and in 1990 the submerged weed was killed off by the introduction be rich in both plant and animal aquatic species. The range of of a specific weed killer. The banks continued to be trampled and all l marginal plants which reappeared (presumably from dormant seeds) the bankside vegetation has virtually disappeared. The 1989/1990 was amazing. The pond became a very attractive feature with clear planting has thrived away from the pond but has not achieved the water occupied by floating pond weed and surrounded flowering object of a thicket. plants. Mallards, moorhens and coots nested and dragonflies skimmed the water.

6 I Southampton Wildlife Link I A fish survey carried out in 1991 by the National Rivers Authority The fauna surveys are encouraging in that they show most classes of (NRA) found nine species of fish present. Some had been introduced animals present, but the loss of some animals, notably snails and by the NRA. The findings of this Report were that the pond was a caddis fly, and the addition of tubifex worms shows a deterioration. small but important fishery and that the fishing in the pond should 1 not be prevented; also that fish stocks would benefit from a The marginal vegetation of the pond has deteriorated since it was reduction in numbers to encourage growth rates and control recorded in 1983. This is due to several factors: parasites. P f • being the growth of trees and leaf litter on the margins of the Now, Miller's Pond, in late summer of 1993, 'presents a very pond on the eastern side (farthest from the road). different picture from that of ten years ago. The.water is cloudy and • the space taken up by the official fishing platforms. ~ green, and there is no floating vegetation apart from water lilies. • the erosion of the banks by trampling on the western and Trees are growing in the reed beds and a huge amount of dead leaves northern sides accumulating on the eastern side (furthest from the road) has • the flooding of the western banks in time of heavy rainfall; this reduced the available habitat area. Some silting has occured but as is due to the overflow drain being placed, in 1988, at a higher the pond is only fed by springs and not streams, it is most likely level than the previous drain. that the organic matter in the pond has not broken down completely ! because of the lack of oxygenating plants in the water. When the pond is flooded the banks become a sea of mud. Although some marginals have been noted as present, there are very few The oxygenating submerged weed and floating pond vegetation have plants. ~ been systematically removed by the anglers as mentioned above and this has led to the deterioration of the pond. ? We understand that terrapins have been introduced into the water in the last few years and that these are now the "size of dinner plates", J would this account for the lack of amphibians?

1

1

7 f Southampton Wildlife Link \ J

I 1

Notes concerning Miller's Pond & Weston Common : 1 Note 1. In the 1950's when the BBC Children's Hour of swans nests nationwide, the Miller's Pond nest was

Note 2. Approved transplants, July 28th 1965 i 1 With the permission of Southampton Corporation, Ludwigia palustris was removed from mud and shallow water at the edge of Miller's Pond and transplanted to Nursling Gravel Pit. It had to be ~ } subsequently relocated and after thriving for several years was lost by the infilling of the gravel pit. At the same time Butomus umbellatus was also removed to Nursling where it survived until ( \ ]966 but disappeared thereafter, probably due to fluctuating water level. J Note 3: A full history of the old Miller's Pond and the development of the new can be found in the Survey of the Natural History of Major Southampton Ponds, published by the Southampton Wildlife I ) Link, 1994.

Note 4: The Shoreburs walk now continues from Archery Road past 1 Jurd's Lake to Victoria Road and Weston Shore, but is not included in the survey of Old Weston Common because there has been extensive clearance and landscaping.

) 1

J 1

8 1 1 1 Southampton Wildlife Link

.1

f AYIELDPARK Portsmouth Road, but though visible by the outfall, it had fallen into From the Portsmouth Road the valley-bottom disuse and for many years the marsh and woodland here were 1 gradually widens to a ~e floor at the lower end, impassable through fallen timber and accumulated debris. Of recent where the stream spreads into sever ,c~els which frequently years the stream-bed has been cleared, and trees removed, but the overflow and flood the marshy groun '-the valley-sides are steep only serviceable path through the valley is that from Archery I and well-wooded throughout. By the s ~ere is a very dense Recreation Ground on the western side of the marsh to the foot cover of willow and rhododendrons, ere some sporadic bridge across the stream to the open park. Here the ground beside clearance has been carried out in the past. bove, on the higher the path receives more light and so bears more wild flowers. In 1 ground is a small beech-hanger behind Mayfield Gardens and spring there is a carpet of lesser celandines with wood anemones, bowling green. Recent storms have caused the loss of many fine followed by bluebells, Garlic Mustard, Herb Bennet and Herb trees, but regeneration is proceeding apace with plenty of beech Robert, and overhead the cherry-blossom. In high summer the path I saplings. Apart from these, little but wavy hair-grass and mosses is edged with Enchanter's Nightshade, Herb Robert, Valerian and grow beneath the beeches, but the area is a rewarding one for an sedges (Carex pendula and Carex remota). In the marshy ground by autumnal fungus-foray. the water, Hemlock Water-dropwort flourishes to the exclusion of much else, but where there is more light and air under the willows, Beyond the grounds of old Mayfield House, the parkland beside other water-loving plants such as Golden Saxifrage (Chrysoplenium ~ Weston Lane is managed for recreation, and the grass kept mown to oppositifolium), Marsh-Marigolds (Caltha palustris) and Lady's- the edge of the woodland. This is dry, deciduous woodland with a smocks (Cardamine pratensis) flower in Spring. The lower end of wide variety of native trees, oak, ash, beech, hornbeam, birches, the marsh has been colonised by Himalayan balsam (Impatiens 1 cherry and naturalised sweet chestnut, and "parkland" trees such glandulifera). Several species of fern flourish here.- Male Fern as Turkey oak, sycamore, and horse-chestnut. With a thick (Dryopteris filix-masi, Lady-fern (Athyrium filix-feminay, Broad- understorey of holly, brambles, sycamore saplings and the Buckler-fern (Dryopteris dilatatay, Narrow Buckler-fern J inevitable rhododendrons, it is in many places impenetrable. (Dryopteris spinulosa) and Hard-fern (Blechnum spicant). The Ordnance Survey map of 1947 shows an estate-path running 1 on the eastern side of the stream from Archery Road to the

9 J \U\ Southampton Wildlife Link ) ) I.] OBSERVATIONS AND discussed with the city ecologist as it is essential that the marsh flora is conserved. It is particularly scarce in the city and Miller's Pond is RECOMMENDATIONS unlike Southampton Common in this respect. ;1

There is a pressing need for some form of control over the intensive 1. The "Weston Common" needs careful management. Mowing angling that occurs at Miller's Pond. Too many individuals are I\ should be carefully controlled and a wide verge of uncut herbage left treating the water as a private preserve. Weed is removed both by the hedgerows and woodlands (i.e. no mowing to tree line) as physicallly and by employing herbicides. Banks and bank vegetation recommended for Southampton Common. have been destroyed and some protective fencing has been pulled 1 down. One authority should be given the management of the area. 2. Dilapidated "furniture", such as signposts and bins need to be The Council's plan suggests that local residents should be asked to removed or replaced. At present they are visual eyesores, which look after their open spaces (see Draft Plan a/Open Spaces). This is detract from the beauty of the valley. not really feasible as local people have not the necessary expertise. I \ 3. Japanese Knotweed should be (by law) exterminated. Cutting back is a useless practise and the resultant litter looks bad. The path in some places is ruined by the Knotgrass. : j

4. Really boggy areas of Botany Bay and Weston Common should ~ be left, partly to prevent human intrusion and the consequent wear \S1( ~! and tear. We suggest that the stream from Portsmouth Road to the bridge below Mayfield Recreation Ground should be left to run as clearly as possible but the banks should not be changed in any way 1 for access. There are plenty of paths above the stream and clearance of the Rhododedrons is improving the aspect of the valley in that I .! area. . There is a suggestion from the Southampton City Council of another footpath across Botany Bay. The folly of this has been Ovry I. ._ 1 J

1 J

10 'j l J Southampton Wildlife Link 1 APPENDIX 1 - Species Lists ] Anisantha sterilis Barren Brome Anthemis cotola Stinking Mayweed Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley I FLORA Anthyrium filis-faemina Lady-fern Apium nodiflorum Fool's Watercress Arabidopsis thaliana Thale Cress 1 Arctium minus Burdock Acer campestre Field Maple Armoracia rusticana Horse Radish Acer pseudo platanus Sycamore Arrhenatherum elatius Oat grass 1 Achillea millefolium Yarrow Artemisia vulgaris Mugwort Achillea ptarmica Sneezewort Arum maculatum Cuckoo-pint Aegopodium podagraria Goutweed A triplex patula Common Orche J Aethusa cynapium Fool's Parsley Ballota nigra Black Horehound Agropyron caninum Bearded Couch-grass Bellis perennis Daisy Agropyron repens Couch-grass Berula erecta 1 Agrostis can ina Brown Bent-grass Betula pendula Silver Birch Agrostis gigantea Black Bent-grass Betula pubescens Birch Agrostis stolonifera Fiorin Blechnum spicant Hard Fern l Agrostis tenuis Common Bent-grass Brachypodium sylvaticum Wood False-broome Aira praecox Early Hair-grass Bromus mollis Lop Grass 1 Alisma plantago-aquatica Water Plantain Callitriche spp Water Star-wort Alliaria petiolata Garlic mustard Calluna vulgaris Ling Alnus glutinosa Alder Caltha palustris Marsh Marigold Alopecurus geniculatus Marsh Fox-tail J Calystega sepium Bindweed Alopecurus pratensis Fox-tail . Calystega sylvatica Bindweed Anagallis arvensis Scarlet Pimpernel -1 Capsella bursa-pastoralis Shepherd's Purse Anemone nemorosa Wood Anemone Cardamine jlexuosa Wood Bittercress Angelica sylvestris Angelica

J

II

) Southampton Wildlife Link 1 I FLORA (continued) Coronopus didymus Swine-cress Cardamine hirta iry Bittercress Corydalis claviculata Climbing Corydalis Cardamine pratensis YdY'sSmock Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn 1 Cardaria draba Hoary Pepperwort Crepis capillaris Smooth Hawk's-beard Carex hirta airy Sedge Crepis taraxifolia Beaked Hawk's beard Carex paniculata ufted Sedge Cynosurus cristata Crested Dog's-tail 1 Carex pendula endulous Sedge Dactylis glomerata Cock's Foot Carex remota Remote Sedge Daucus carota Carrot J Carex sylvatica Wood Sedge Deschampsia caespitosa Tufted hair-grass Centaurea nigra Hardheads Deschampsia flexuosa Wavy Hair-grass Centaurium minus Centaury Digitalis purpurea Foxglove 1 Cerastium glomeratum Sticky Mouse-ear Chickweed Dryopteris australis Broad Buckler-fern Cerastium tetrandum Little Mouse-ear Chickweed Dryopteris filis-mas Male fern Cerastium vulgare Mouse-ear Chickweed Dryopteris spinulosa Narrow Buckler-fern Chaerophyllum temulentum Rough Chervil Endymion non-scriptus Bluebell Chamaenerion angustifolium Fireweed adenocaulon American Willowherb Chenopodium album Fat Hen Epilobium hirsutum Great Willowherb Chenopodium polyspermum All-seed Epilobium montanum Broad-leaved Willowherb Chrysanthemum leucanthemum Ox-eye Daisy Epilobium obscurum Dull-leaved Willowherb Chrysanthemum segetum Com Marigold Equisetum arvense Common Horsetail I Chrysosplenium oppositifolium Golden Saxifrage Equisetum fluviatile Marsh Horsetail Cirsium dissectum Meadow Thistle Erica cinerea Bell Heather Cirsium arvense Creeping Thistle Euphorbia amygdaloides Wood Spurge 1 Cirsium palustre Marsh Thistle Euphorbia helioscopia Sun Spurge Cirsium vulgare Thistle Fagus sylvaticus Beech Conium maculatum Hemlock Festuca rubra Red Fescue Convolvulus arvensis Field convolvulus Filipendula ulmaria Meadowsweet Cornus sanguine us Dogwood Frangula alnus Alder Buckthorn ] ) 12 1 Southampton Wildlife Link

FLORA (continued) ______/ Impatiens glandulifera Himalayan Balsam Fraxinus officinalis Ash Iris pseudacorus Iris Fumaria officinalis Fumitory Juncus acutiflorus Sharp-flowered Rush Galeopsis tetrahit Hempnettle Juncus articulatus Jointed Rush Galium aparene Cleavers Juncus butonius Toad Rush 1 Galium cruciata Crosswort Juncus conglomeratus Conglomerate Rush Galium mollis Bedstraw Juncus effusus Soft Rush Galium verum Lady's Bedstraw Juncus inflexus Hard Rush Geranium dissectum Cut-leaved Cranes-bill Lamium album White Dead-nettle Geranium molle Dove's foot Cranes-bill Lamium purpureum Red Dead-nettle Geranium robertianum Herb Robert Lathyrus pratensis Meadow Pea Geum urbanum Herb Bennet Lemna minor Duckweed Glechoma hederacea Ground-ivy Lemna polyrhiza Greater Duckweed Glyceria declinata Sweet-grass Leontodon autumnalis Autumnal Hawkbit Glyceria jluitans Floating Sweet-grass Leontodon leysseri Lesser Hawkbit Gnaphalium uliginosum Cudweed Ligustrum vulgare Privet Hedera helix Ivy Linaria vulgaris Toadflax Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed Lolium perenne Rye grass Hieracium perpropinquum Hawkweed Lonicera periclymenum Honeysuckle l Hieracium pilosella Mouse-ear Hawkweed Lotus corniculatus Bird's-foot Trefoil Holcus lanatus Yorkshire Fog Lotus uliginosus Marsh Bird's-foot Trefoil Hordeum murinum Wall Barley Luzula campestris Field Woodrush ! Humulus lupulus Hop Lycopuseuropaeus Gipsy-wort Hydrocotyle vulgaris Marsh Pennywort Lythrum salicaria Purple Loosestrife 1 Hypericum dubium Imperforate St.John's Wort Malus (domesticus) sp. Apple Hypericum perforatum Common St. John's Wort Malva mosehata Musk Mallow Hypochaeris radicata Cat's Ear Malva sylvatica Common Mallow Rex aquifolium Holly I I 13 \ Southampton Wildlife Link } FLORA D(continued) Polygonum amphibium Matricaria maritima Scentless Mayweed Polygonum aviculare Knotgrass Matricaria matricarioides Pineapple weed Polygonum hydropiper Water Pepper 1 Matricaria recutita Wild Chamomile Polygonum lapithifolium Pale Persicaria Medicago lupulina Black Medick Polygonum persicaria Persicaria Melilotus officinalis Melilot Populus tremens Aspen Mentha aquatica Water-mint Potamogeton natans Broad-leaved pondweed Mercurialis annua Annual Mercury Potentilla erecta Tormentil J Myosotis palustris Water Forget-Me-Not Potentilla repens Cinquefoil Nasturtium officinale Water-cress Prunella vulgaris Self-heal Nuphar lutea Yellow Water Lily Prunus (domestica) sp. Plum , } Odontites verna Red Bartsia Prunus avium Wild Cherry Oenanthe crocata Hemlock Water-dropwort Prunus spinosa Blackthorn Ononis repens Restharrow Pteridium aquilinum Bracken Papaver rhoeas Poppy Quercus robur Pedunculate Oak Peplis portula Water Purslane Ranunculus acris Meadow Buttercup Phalaris arundinacea Reed Canary-grass Ranunculus bulbosus Bulbous Buttercup Phleum nodosum Cat's-tail Ranunculus ficaria Lesser Celandine Phleum pratense Timothy Grass Ranunculus hederaccus Ivy-leaved Crowfoot Phragmites communis Common Reed Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup Phyllitis scolopendrium Hart's Tongue Ranunculus sceleratus Celery-leaved Buttercup Pinus sylvestris Scot's Pine Raphanus raphanistrum Wild Radish Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain Reynoutia japonica Japanese Knotgrass Plantago major Greater Plantain Rhinanthus minor Yellow Rattle Poaannua Annual Poa Rhododendron ponticum Rhododendron Poa pratensis Meadow Grass- Ribes sylvestre Red Currant Poa trivialis Rough-stalked Meadow Grass Robinia pseudacacia False Acacia Polygonatum multifolium Solomon's Seal Rorippa islandica Marsh Watercress I

14 I Southampton Wildlife Link

FLORA (continued) Sorbus aucuparia Mountain Ash Rosa can ina Dog Rose Sparganium ramosum Branched Burreed Rubus fruticosus Bramble Spergula arvensis Com Spurrey Rubus idaeus Raspberry Spergularia rubra Sand Spurrey Rumex acetosa Sorrel Stachys palustris Marsh Wound wort Rumex acetosella Sheep's-bit Sorrel Stachys sylvatica Hedge Woundwort Rumex conglomeratus Clustered Dock Stellaria alsine Bog Stitchwort Rumex crispus Curled Dock Stellaria graminea Lesser Stitchwort Rumex obtusifolius Broad-leaved Dock Stellaria holostea Greater Stitchwort Sagina procumbens Pearlwort Stellaria media Chickweed Salix cinerea Sallow Symphoriocarpus rivularis Snowberry Salix fragilis Crack Willow Symphytum officinale Comfrey Salix vimialis Osier Tanacetum vulgare Tansy Sambucus nigra Elder Taraxacum officinale Dandelion Sarothamnus scoparius Broom Teucrium scorodonia Wood Sage Scrophularia nodosa Knotted Figwort TWa europaea Common Lime Sedum acre Wall-pepper Tragopogon pratensis Goat's-beard Senecio jacobaea Ragwort Trifolium arvense Hare's-foot Clover Senecio squalidus Oxford Ragwort Trifolium campestre Hop Trefoil Senecio vulgaris Groundsel Trifolium dubium Lesser Trefoil Sinapus arvensis Charlock Trifolium hybridum Alsike Clover Sisymbrium officinale Hedge Mustard Trifolium pratense Red Clover Solanum dulcamara Bittersweet Trifolium repens White Clover Solidago virgaurea Golden rod Trifolium striatum Knotted Clover 1 Solidago x hybrida Trifolium subterranean Subterranean Clover Sonchus arvensis Field Sow-thistle Tussilago farfara Colt's-foot Sonchus asper Sow-thistle Typha latifolia Bulrush J Sorbus aria sp. Whitebeam Ulex europaeus Gorse

15 ,.....--

Southampton Wildlife Link

FLORA (continued) BRYOPHYTA Ulmus procera Elm Mosses Urtica dioica Nettles Amblystegium serpens Valerian officinalis Great Valerian Atrichum undulatum Veronica anagallis-aquatica Water Spearwell Aulacomnium androgynum Veronica arvensis Wall Speedwell Barbula convoluta Veronica beccabunga BrookLime Brachythecium velutinum Veronica chamaedrys Germander Speedwell Dicranella heteromalla f Veronica hederifolia Ivy-leaved Speedwell Eurynchium praelongum Veronica persica Bauxbaum's Speedwell Fissidens taxifolius n lj U~ .. ' J. If Viburnum opulus Guelder Rose Funaria hygrometrica 1 Vicia angustifolia Narrow-leaved Vetch Hypnum cupressiforme Vicia cracca Tufted Vetch Hypnum var. filiforme Vicia hirta Hairy Tare Isothecium myosuroides 1 Vicia sativa Common Vetch Leucobryum glaucum Vicia tetrasperma Four-seeded Vetch Viola riviniana Common Violet Liverworts 1 Zerna ramosa Hairy or Wood Brome Lunaria cruciata Lophocolee cuspidata , } Pellia epiphylla Introduced to Miller's Pond without success: I Butomus umbellatus Flowering-rush Hydrocharis morsus-ranae Frogbit } Stratiodes aloides Water-soldier

16 ?

s Southampton Wildlife Link

FUNGI for Weston Common FUNGI records for Mayfield Park Agaricus variegans Clitocybe clavipes Agaricus augustus Clitocybe nebularis Agrocybe semi-orbicularis Collybia butyracea Amanita citrina Cortinarius purpurascens Amanita excelsa Flammulina velutipes Amanita fulva Helvella crispa Amanita rubescens Laccaria amethystea Armillaria mellea Laccaria laccata Auricularia mesenterica Lepista nuda Bjerkandera adusta Mycena galopus candida Boletus badius Mycenapura Boletus chrysenteron Pholiota mutabilis Boletus edulis Rhytisma acerinum Boletus parasitic us Tremella mesenterica Bulgaria inquinans Calocera cornea Calocera viscosa Cantharellus cibarius Clitocybe jlaccida ) Clitocybe nebularis Clitocybe vibecina Collybia jusipes J Collybia peronata Coniophora puteana Coprinus micaceus 1 Coprinus plicatilis I

17 1 Southampton Wildlife Link ) } FUNGI (continued) Marasmius oreades Coriolus hirsutus Mycena alcalina Coriolus versicolor Mycena capillaria 1 Daldinia concentrica Mycena jlavo-albus Daedalea quecina Mycena galericulata Entoloma sinuatum Mycena galopus Fistulina hepatica Mycena haematopus Exidia alb ida Mycenapura Fomes fomentarius Mycena speiria Ganoderma adspersum Mycena tererrima Grifola gigantea Nectria cinnabarina Hebeloma crustuliniforme Panellus stipticus Hebeloma longicaudum Paxillus involutus Helvella crispa Paxillus panuoides Heterobasidion annosum Pleurotus ostreatus Hygrophorus strangulata Pluteus cervinus Hymenoscyphus fructigenus Pluteus salicin us Hypholoma fasciculare Psathyrella hydrophilum Inocybe auricoma Psathyrella lacrymabunda Inonotus cuticularis Pseudotrametes gibbosa Inonotus dryadeus Russula laurocerasi Laccaria amethystea Russula mairei Laccaria laccata Russula ochroleuca Lactarius quietus Russula soraria Lactarius turpis Scleroderma citrinum Lepiota rhacodes Stereum gausapatum 1 Lepista nuda Stereum hirsutum Lycoperdon perlatum Stereum purpureum

\ 1

18 i Southampton Wildlife Link

FUNGI (continued)

J Tremella mesenterica Tricholomopsis rutilans Vascellum pratense Xylaria carpophila Xylaria hypoxylon 1

J

I I 1

J

19 J Southampton Wildlife Link I }

J Chaffinch FAUNA Greenfinch Siskin Sparrowhawk Mallard 1 BIRDS Kestrel Wood Pigeon Dunnock Collared Dove Bullfinch Tawny Owl Jackdaw Green Woodpecker Rook Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Blackcap Starling Coot Magpie Moorhen Jay 1 Heron Wren House Martin Robin Swallow J Blackbird Swift Song Thrush Meadow Pipit Mistle Thrush } Sky Lark Blue Tit Serin Coal Tit Great spotted woodpecker Long-tailed Tit ( Redpoll Nuthatch Goldcrest Tree Creeper Nightingale House Sparrow } Tree Sparrow ] In the summer, Chiff-chaff, Willow warbler and others visit the area. 1

20 J Southampton Wildlife Link

MAMMALS ARTHROPODA 1 Roe Deer Insects Munjac Lepidoptera -Butterflies j Fox Small White Artogeia rapae Grey Squirrel Large white Pieris brassieae Pipistrelle Bat Green-veined White Artogeia napi Bank: Vole Small Copper Lyeaena phlaeas Pigmy Shrew Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina Hedgehog Gatekeeper Pyronia tilhonus Mole Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus Long-tailed field (Wood) Mouse Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria Yellow-necked Mouse Holly Blue Celastrina argiolus Common Shrew Comma Polygonia e-album Brown Rat Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta Peacock Inachis io Small Tortoiseshell Aglais urticae AMPHIBIANS & REPTILES Orangetip Anthocharis cardamines 1 Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni Common Lizard Large Skipper Oehlodes veneta Slow Worm Dingy Skipper Erynnis tages ] Common Toad Small Skipper Thymelicus sylvestris Common Frog Smooth Newt Moths J Palmate Newt Cinnabar moth Callimorpha jacobaeae Six-spot Burnet Zygaena filipendulae Elephant Hawk J Garden Tiger Moth Arctia caia \ 21 ,; Southampton Wildlife Link

Vapourer Moth Orgyia antiqua Odonata (Dragonflies) Oak Egger Lasiocampa quercus Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigeran Silver Y Plusia gamma Common Red Darter Sympetrum sanquineum Heart and Dart Agrotis exclamation is Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum Large Yellow Underwing Triphaena pronumba Azure Hawker Aeshna cyanea Browntail Moth Euproctis chyorrhoea Broad-bodied Libellula Libellula depressa

The folowing reocrds were taken using an ultra-violet lightbased at Diptera (True Flies) Archery Grove, Mayfield Cranefly Tipula maxima . Alder moth Acronicta alni Mosquito Anophiles maculipennis Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis luteolata Mosquito Culex pipiens Common Marbled Carpet Chloroclysta truncata Beefly Bombilius major Double-striped Pug Gymnoscelis rufifasciata Garden Carpet Xanthorhoe fluctuata Grey Dagger Acronicta psi Coleoptera (Beetles) Iron Prominent Notodonata dromedarius Ladybird Coccinella septempunctata Knotgrass Acrocicta rumicis Violet longhomed beetle Callidium violaceum May Highflyer Hydriomena impluviata Ground Beetle Harpalus aeneus Mottled Pug Eupithecia exiguata Stag Beetle Lucanus cervus Pale Prominent Pterostoma palpina Green Tiger Beetle Cicindela campestris Pebble Hook Tip Drepana falcataria Wood Tiger Beetle Cicindela sylvatica Peppered Moth Biston betularia ( Scalloped Hook Tip Falcaria lacertinaria Hemiptera (True bugs) Setaceous Xestia c-nigrum Shield bug Picromeris bidens Agrostis puta Shield bug Palomina prasina , J Charanyca trigrammica Agrostis segetum ] 1 22 1 Southampton Wildlife Link

Hymenoptera (Bees & Wasps) Myriapoda Bumble bee, Red-tailed Bombus lapidarius Centipede Lithobius forfieatus Bumble bee, Buff-tailed Bombus lerrestris Centipede Lithobius variegatus Early mining bee Andrena albieans Millipede Cylindroiulus londinensis Common Wasp Vespula vulgaris Tree Wasp Doliehovespula sylestris Crustacea Hornet Vespa erabro Wood louse Oniscus asellus Black Garden Ant Lasius niger Wood louse Porcellio scaber Yellow Ant Lasiusflavus

Orthoptera (Grasshopper & Crickets) Earwig Forfieula auricularia Great Green Bush-cricket Tettigonia viridisma Meadow grasshopper Chorthippus parallus Common Field grasshopper Chorthippus brunneus

Arachnida Garden Spider Araneus diadematus Tetragantha extensa I Linyphia triangularis Crab Spider Misumena watia Wolf Spider Pisaura mirabilis 1 Zebra Spider Salticus seenieus Wolf Spider Paradosa amentata Harvestman Leiobunum rotundum Harvestman Phalangium opilio

23 Southampton Wildlife Link ] MILLER'S POND. SMALL FRESH WATER FAUNA 1993 I Tubifex worms Leeches (numerous) I I Water fleas Daphnia Sp. Copepods Cyclops Sp. Water slater Asellus aquaticus (very Blood worms Chironomus 2 Sp. abundant. 1 abundant) Caddis flies Freshwater shrimp Gammarus pulex Damsel flies Coenogrion Sp.. Larvae & Clubiona spider on vegetation J adults Dragon flies Aeshna cyanea & other spp. Stickleback; Frog tadpoles Larvae and adults j Mayfly sp. Larvae Water measurer Hydrometra Sp .. Water scorpion Nepa Sp. Backswimmer Notonecta Sp. Nymphs & adults Water boatman Corixa Sp. Adults Water beetles Great Diving beetle Dytiscus Larvae and adults Great Silver beetle Hydrophilus sp. Adults Midges Culex pipiens }

1

24 ~ ....l ~ :§

~ 'rI 1:1 ('l 0 ...0.. .s~ ::3 0 en cy; ,,' Go. f::f/ €:i , (}J ,I Dc 0-, EY •r 0- ,I tf ~ , , \ £S , \ \

,,r z < ... ( , ,I I ... " ... " ... " ... " "...... " ...... , t: , o \ \ ,, \,, \ \ ,, , ..f " \. \ , ,~ c," \ , ·z I I (lJ ,I o , P- c I I .~ I ~I.[) "j I ' ~ ..c. -z: " ~ CL ,j

~

(:"<)

>- :;( ,'I' t{) -t. ~ >- ,a... Z 0 rt t1 0 fL4 - -c' d C'- ..0 E" r, '"~ :. -.J '." ~l ';: '- 0 'J ~; ...,...c "," .::; 1 ,,.- ~ ::t , ; ~ , ; , , "'G""' ~ ..c " .,-'--" 0 o :::..VI " "">, -c 0 - ~ \ \ .s: ~ \ , \ , ~ .5 , \ \ r I I I I

\.> "u ~ f I... e• Ci 0 J: c, '() -0

Q) C ' .. '+- '>') ~ ~'\ tS

(;I'"do ~ r.-

E:f" 0

:z E-<--+---

r- 1.lJ _j _J ,q_ »

7' .~ 1·- 'I', 1,-,.1 "5-

~ 0 -0 ~ Co ::> 0 "- 3 ItT s:: ...0 c:! (l) e, V V cc Ul· § •.-1 Ul .~

~

- ; i '1 Southampton Wildlife Link ~ ~J I]

,} Cover Photographs

] Front Cover Top: A Male Southern Aeshna Dragonfly emerging from its larva (by Julian Cremona) J Bottom: Marsh Marigold inflower (by Julian Cremona)

J Back Cover: Photograhs taken of school children working at the Sholing Valley Centre (by Doris Day)

1

J

,J ]

"1

JJ ; J 27